Lot Essay
The quail (anchun) is a pun on the Chinese word for peace (an). The rebus formed by the presence of quail amidst millet may be interpreted as sui sui ping an, 'may there be peace year after year.'
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Property From a Private West Coast Collection
A RARE SMALL CARVED CORAL BOX AND COVER
Details
A RARE SMALL CARVED CORAL BOX AND COVER
The box and cover are finely carved in the shape of an egg with three quail perched on a millet stalk extending from the bottom of the box, and a further millet stalk, which supports two further quail, a butterfly, and a dragonfly, laid atop the cover and around the sides. The sixth, slightly larger quail, is carved sitting on the nest inside the box.
2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) wide
The box and cover are finely carved in the shape of an egg with three quail perched on a millet stalk extending from the bottom of the box, and a further millet stalk, which supports two further quail, a butterfly, and a dragonfly, laid atop the cover and around the sides. The sixth, slightly larger quail, is carved sitting on the nest inside the box.
2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) wide
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